NORTH CANTON, OH — Bellarmine Sprint Football jumped out to a big early lead and didn't let up en route to a 37-0 road victory over the Walsh University (OH) Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon.  With the win, the Knights improve to 2-0 for the third consecutive season.

Bellarmine took the opening kickoff and drove right down the field, as Kyle Horvath connected on long passes to Shannon Tonge and Tyler Smith.  Horvath then found Tonge for two fourth down conversions on the drive, including a drive-capping 22-yard touchdown pass to give the Knights the early 7-0 lead.

Two plays into Walsh's first drive, Bellarmine's Royce Hall forced a fumble which was recovered by Tyree Thomas at the Cavaliers' 21 yard line.  The Knights were unable to capitalize however, as Ben Valle missed a 34-yard field goal.  The Knights' D afforded the offense another quick opportunity on the next drive as Lance Weiter intercepted a pass and set the Bellarmine offense up with first and goal at the 10.  Four plays later, Brenden Reid pounded it in from two yards out to up the lead to 13-0 after a missed extra point.

On the ensuing possession, a fumble on a pitch that resulted in a 21-yard loss was followed by a bad snap on a punt, leading to Bellarmine taking possession at the Walsh 21 with a minute to play in the first period. The Knights opened up the second quarter with another fourth down conversion for a TD as Derrik Gant scored on a reverse from four yards out to make it 20-0, a lead that they ended up taking into halftime.

The Knights' D continued to stand firm, forcing a three-and-out to begin the third quarter.  Facing a third and 17 following a holding penalty, Horvath hit Tyler Smith for a 63-yard bomb to set up a first and goal at the Walsh five.  Four plays later, Furio Burac came in and kicked a 26 yard field goal to up the lead to 23-0.

Following another three-and-out, the Knights rode the legs of Reid and the arm of Horvath down the field once again, capping the drive off with yet another touchdown on fourth down as Horvath found Tonge in the end zone from eight yards out to make it 30-0.  Bellarmine's defense put the final nail in the coffin with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter as a strip sack by Thomas was recovered by Caleb Murray for an exclamation point touchdown.  Frankie Hill officially sealed it with an interception on Walsh's final drive.

Smith led all receivers on the day with 105 yards on five receptions.  Tonge had 102 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions.  Horvath finished the day 16/32 for 237 yards and the two TD passes to Tonge.  Gant had six catches for 30 yards to go along with his seven carries for 21 yards and one rushing score.  Reid rumbled for 82 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.  Overall, the Knights racked up 356 yards of total offense on 74 plays, averaging 4.8 yards per play, and accumulated 20 first downs.

Bellarmine's defense was stifling all day long, forcing four turnovers and collecting six sacks.  Thomas and Luke Jackson each had two sacks, while Carter Schroer and Roy Shrout each had one.  Thanks in large part to the sacks and the fumbled pitch late in the first quarter, the Knights held Walsh to minus eight yards of total offense on the day and just three first downs.

Up next, Bellarmine will return to the Bluegrass for another road matchup, as the Knights will square off against the Eagles of Midway University (KY) on Saturday, September 28 at 7 PM ET.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow the Knights on X, Instagram and Facebook.